Method of manufacturing metal wheels



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. R. LITTLE. METHOD OF MANUFACTURING METAL WHEELS.

No. 487,282. Patented Dec. 6, 1892.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. R. LITTLE.

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING METAL WHEELS.

No. 487,282. Patented Dec. 6, 1892.

0 2:? M ia NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I I

JAMES R. LITTLE, OF QUINCY, ILLINOIS.

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING METAL WHEELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 487,282, dated December 6, 1892'. Application filed February 24, 1892. Serial No. 422,702. (No model.)

To whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES R. LITTLE, of Quincy, in the county of Adams, and in the State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Method of Manufacturing Metal Wheels; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the hub portion of a metal Wheel constructed in accordance with my improved method. Fig. 2 is a like view of the hub before the spokes are secured in place. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the tenon end of a spoke and of the thimble used for combining the same with the hub. Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively sections of the hub upona line passing circumferentially through the line of spokes and thimbles and upon a line passing lengthwise through said hub; Fig. 6, a perspective View of a different form of hub which can be used in practicing my method; and Fig. 7, a section upon a line passing axially through the hub, illustrating the employment of said method without the use of a thimble.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.

My invention relates to the manufacture of Wheels in which the entire structure is composed of metal; and it consists in the method employed for combining the spokes with the hub, substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.

In the carrying of my invention into practice I employ a hub A, which is preferably constructed from malleable iron, but, if desired, may be constructed from steel or other similar metal that is capable of having its form changed by pressure or percussion. Said hub is provided at equidistant points around its periphery with recesses or sockets CL and a, which are preferably round in plan view, but may have any other form desired, and are each formed by means of an inclosing curb a, that has its inner face vertical to the periphery of said hub.

Within each socket a is loosely fitted a thimble B, which is made of malleable iron or steel and interiorly b is adapted to receive and contain the inner end or tenon c of a spoke C, and at its lower end b has an outward flare, as shown.

In combining the parts of the wheel a thimble B is secured by compression upon the tenon o of a spoke C, and said parts then placed in position within a socket o. and the curb a, pressed inward by suitable machinery until it closely embraces the enlarged lower end I) of said thimble and confines the same and said spoke in place. Each of the sockets a of the hub A is preferably provided with a central recess a into which is placed the end of the spoke-tenon 0; but such recess may be omitted, if desired. The circular sockets may also be omitted and in their place an annular groove may be formed around the hub and the walls or curbs of such groove pressed inward and caused to engage with the thimbles to confine the same in place; but in such event the recesses for the spoke-tenons would be necessary, or the thimble would require such construction as to cause them to fill said groove, in order to prevent the movement of the spokes around the hub.

If desired, the thimbles may be omitted and the inner end of each spoke enlarged, so as to furnish a look when the curb is turned inward.

While the parts described are preferably united when cold, the thimbles and hub, or either of the same, may, if desired, be heated before compression, so as to add to the strength of the bond the element of the contraction of the inclosing metal.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. As an improvement in the manufacture of metal wheels, the method employed for combining a spoke with a hub, which consists in providing an enlargement at the end of the spoke and a projection upon the hub, and then bending said projection over and upon the enlargement, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. As an improvement in the manufacture of metal wheels, the method of combining the hub and spokes, which consists in confining the enlarged ends of the spokes by peripheral projections that are formed upon the hub and are pressed into close contact with such enlargements, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

ICO

3. As an improvement in the manufacture of metal wheels, the method which consists in combining with the inner end of a spoke a compressible thim ble having an enlarged inner end and then confining such thimble by a projection that is formed upon the periphery of the hub and is pressed inward upon and caused to closely embrace the enlarged end of said thimble, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. As an improvement in the manufacture of metal Wheels, the method which consists in combining, by pressure with the inner end of a spoke, a compressible thimble having an enlarged inner end, placing such thimble within a suitable peripheral cavity upon the hub and then by the inward compression of the wall forming such cavity, closely confining said thimble in place, substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.

5. As an improvement in the manufacture of metal wheels, the method which consists in securing upon the inner end of a spoke a thimble which is provided at its inner end with a peripheral enlargement, placing such thimble within a suitable peripheral cavity upon the hub and then by the inward compression of the wall forming such cavity, closely confining said thimble in place, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. As an improvement in the manufacture of metal wheels, the method which consists in combining with the inner portion of a spoke a thimble which is provided with an enlarged inner end,placingsuch thimble within acavity and the projecting end of such spoke within a recess which is formed upon or within the periphery of the hub, and then turning inward the wall that forms the cavity and causing the same to closely embrace the enlarged end of said thimble, substantially asand for the purpose shown.

In testimony that I claim the foregoingl have hereunto set-my hand this 28th day of January, 1892.

JAMES R. LITTLE.

Witnesses:

S. DEIDESHEIMER, S. M. WALLACE. 

